Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1887-01-20
From Our Regular Correspondent.
Washington Letter.

WASHINGTON, ID. C., Jan. II. 1887.
During the past week there was credit
able amount Of legislation BY Congress and
an unusual amount Of speech making and
debate. Several regular appropriation bills
were pushed through the House, dozens of
private pension bills were passed among them
one giving Mrs Logan $4,000 year. the
Public Buildings bill came up for attention.
and also that relating to reorganization OF
the Navy. In the Senate, secret sessions
were devoted to the Mexican reciprocity
treaty, and open sessions to the long llnger-
ing question Of Interstate Commerce, with
it, long haul, short haul and other promi-
nent features.
The recent publication in a New York
paper announcing that the Pacific Railroads
had been hribing Congressman in whole
sale fashion naturally attracted some attention
on Capitol Hlu, and emphatic denisls we're
heard on every side. Said one member who
had served in the forty fourth, fifth, eighth
and ninth Congresses, There has been less
lobbying in the present Congress than in any
of the others, and f it should be proven
that any member has accepted brides as
claimed il that report. he would, Of course,
be expelled
The Presidents message to the Senate on
hi, reapPointment Of Mr.. Matthews, the col
ored Recorder Of Deeds from Albany, has
not had the effect he expected. Mr.. Cleye-
land did not think the citizens Of the Dis
trict Of Columbia would protes, against the
confirmation Of this appointee second
time. But they are more determined now
that this stranger shall not stay than they
we're at first Colored people, North and
South without regard 70 politics, are work
ing in behalf Of Matthews. Senators have
received appeal, from colored societies and
promInen, colored men. They seem TO have
lost sight Of political considerations in the
belief that the Senate rejected Mr., Mat
thevs because Of bis color.
Il ! impossible 10 Say nov what mny be
done in this Congress towards revenue re-
form. but i, is quite certain that the Repub-
hcaus and the Randall men are nearing an
agreement and maturing raid on the inter
nal revenue. whlcn will probabl, be made
this week Their aim will be to remove the
tax On tobacco. alcohol used in the arts, and
fruit brandle>. whether any attempt be made
10 alter the tariff or not.
The Democrats have repeatedly proven
that they can do nothing Of themselves.
Thrv lack both harmony and leadership.
SAID one of them Yesterday. ave haven't
time 10 fool away on tariff matters, reduction
of revenue can wait Said another, 4 few
moment, later, 'Ihe one thing that cannot
vat !. the reduction ofthr surplus By
pral Of tariff. Presidential a>plFani~ ake
Carlisle. Morrison, and Randall, have pacri-
feed oppor,unilie, for reducing taxation, It
would seem to prevent The elevation of one
Of themselves above the other. They have
certainly acted IN such way a. to convince
the people that they viii prevent any Iegis
!auon which tie, cannot have all their own
way.
With a resolution urging the repeal OF III
ternal revenue taxation, strong resolutions IN
ii''T o' fhr biaN ainch'lonal t!I nays 'trh
n,rodnctd ID the North Carolina Legislature
The fact SEEM, % have been overlooked
,ka, Il tie Blair hl.i is passed, there wt.. be
no need TO worry about 'hr Treasury sur
plus. II education, coast defense the rev
navy. and ether thing" we're attended e on
The liberal sce!r proposed, reduction would
follow eNpcd.t'ouNly. without touching 'hr
whisky and tobacco tax.
Il looks A. If there would be temper
arae experiment IN tins city sooner OF later.
Great effort haN been made 70 Keep pfohIbi-
tlon ouf II Nh>h" gtoh' tut \ ! 'hoHsh'
useless y trN much longer Congress dIc-
tures TO the Di,rrict Of Columbia, and these
days the petition boxes OF the Senate and
House are crowded with memorials on he
subject Of temperance. And from the ltJ'Ie
canvassIng that has been attempted among
rltnheiN o' h"th hfhht"es ol congress n =
thought a large majority are now ready 70
vote in favor Of stringent prohhltory la"
for this hitlr square OF the public do
main.
The Washington Permanent Exposition
project Is nov beng as'tatrd by Congress
lonaI committee, and the subject OF puhI'c
ale Is being spita,ed by some members of
'he Typographical ,nioh' me ppo''c
printer nhaef M ac' creating 'ne poS'''oh'
must he pFac'lcal printer ana o'naef' 1hd
oe aO't y demonstrate n'S H'"eSS an" 'aP-
aeIiy' lhIs IS Sa'N 'he present lhcun'-
Dent cannot ., ana II ne ca"h"'' he Will "o'
se' 'hlougn ''e senate Il vigorous Pio'es'S